Exploring Worry in CFS/ME

Launched by KING'S COLLEGE LONDON · Aug 21, 2023

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial, titled "Exploring Worry in CFS/ME," is focused on understanding how worry affects people with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS/ME) before and after they receive Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). Previous research has shown that many patients with CFS/ME struggle with excessive worry, which is linked to their levels of fatigue. This study aims to dive deeper into the relationship between worry and fatigue and see if adjusting CBT to include strategies specifically for managing worry can lead to better treatment outcomes.

To participate in this study, individuals must be aged 16 to 74, have a confirmed diagnosis of CFS/ME, and be willing to undergo CBT. Additionally, they should be experiencing significant worry, as indicated by a specific questionnaire. The trial is not yet recruiting participants, but once it starts, those who join can expect to share their experiences and feelings in a supportive environment. This research is important as it could help improve how we treat both CFS/ME and the worries that many patients face.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • have a diagnosis of ME/CFS according to NICE criteria;
• • have agreed to CBT for ME/CFS following their initial assessment;
• • are/were struggling with comorbid generalised worry as determined by a score of 45 or above on the Penn State Worry Questionnaire (collected routinely with all patients referred to the service).
• • Informed consent to taking part in the study
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Patients who have been closed to the service longer than 3 months
• • Patients with a diagnosis of long-Covid
• • Patients who are under 18
• • Patients who do not have a diagnosis of CFS/ME
• • Patients who have not agreed to CBT for CFS/ME as part of their treatment
• • Patients who score below the threshold on the PSWQ